As well as feeling extremely scratchy and dry, cracked heels can also be extremely painful in some cases. While many people choose to put up with the condition and hide it with socks or stockings during the winter months, this can become more difficult as the warmer months begin to arrive. As a result, it's no surprise that people start looking for remedies as summer arrives.
There are a number of effective treatments available, which, can help soothe the pain and prevent cracked skin from forming in the first place. So, you can put away those socks and wear your summer footwear with confidence!
Causes of cracked heels
Cracked heels are caused by a lack of moisture in the skin, causing it to dry out. When the outer layer of the skin dries, it hardens, causing a thick layer of calluses to form. Intense pressure caused by walking combined with the friction from shoes causes this dry layer to crack. The problem is often compounded by wearing ill-fitting shoes, not moisturising your feet, taking overly long hot-baths or showers, using harsh soaps and cleansers and wearing shoes with thin soles. Making adjustments in these areas can reduce the build-up of calluses, but it's unlikely you'll be able to prevent the condition altogether.
So, how can you prevent cracked heels?
Traditional preventative treatments for cracked heels involve applying a layer of Vaseline or PawPaw cream following a shower. This can help to rehydrate the skin and prevent further dryness and cracking. The problem is however, these treatments typically only work for a few minutes following application and don’t fix the underlying problem or provide a long-term solution.
At Natralus we've developed an effective way to prevent cracked heels by using a natural skin cream which helps to prevent irritation while moisturising and nourishing your skin. Once applied, Hand & Skin Shield Intensive Liquid Gloves provides a protective barrier which lasts for up to four hours and ensures that grime, grease, oil, dye and detergents are not able to penetrate the skin. By using exclusive hydrating and exfoliating technology which is quickly absorbed into the skin, our Hand & Skin Shield Intensive Repair helps to restore moisture and vital nutrients. This leaves your feet feeling soft and smooth while reducing the appearance of dry, cracked skin in as little as three days.
How to repair cracked heels
If you already suffer from cracked heels, you've probably tried the traditional methods for removing calloused skin, only for it to return a few days later. If that’s you, we recommend trying our Hand & Skin Shield Intensive Repair cream. Formulated to repair calloused skin, which, has become dry and cracked, Hand & Skin Shield Intensive Repair combines intensive exfoliation and hydrating technology to remove dead skin cells while rehydrating the skin. This will leave your skin feeling wonderfully smooth and soft to touch. Simply apply the cream before you go to bed and cover your feet with cotton socks. The formula then gets to work while you sleep, helping to soften hardened skin cells and replace vital nutrients. Our formula is so effective that it is proven to show visible results in just three days.
The benefits of using natural ingredients
All Natralus skin care products are manufactured from natural ingredients sourced from organic farms across Australia. None of our skincare products contains any petrolatum or paraben based ingredients and is free from both Glycol and PEG. This ensures that only the best ingredients pass through your skin and body. A natural moisturiser is not only better for your skin and well-being, but it’s also better for the environment as well. No oil based products are used in the manufacturing process and all the ingredients we use are grown organically using sustainable farming methods.
For added peace of mind, no Natralus product has ever been tested on animals. We operate a zero tolerance of cruelty to animals policy. Consequently, you and your family can relax knowing that the skincare products you purchase from us are manufactured using both ethical and sustainable methods.
The Natralus Touch Promise
Because we know that many beauty treatments overpromise and underdeliver, at Natralus we back all our health and beauty products with the Natralus Touch Promise. If, following application, you find that any of our products fail to meet one of the following three standards, we’ll give you your money back, no questions asked:
We only use natural, organic, ingredients which have NOT been tested on animals.
Our formulas are guaranteed to work, achieving noticeable results on your skin
Our products are designed to provide lasting results. (Your treatment will keep working for hours instead of minutes)
Other measures you can take to prevent cracked heels
By taking good care of your feet, you can prevent cracked heels from appearing in the first place. However, sometimes even this may not be enough. If you still suffer from cracked feet despite moisturizing them every day using our products, the following tips may help:
Wear cotton socks
Natural cotton socks are a great way of letting your feet breathe while also absorbing moisture. This helps to decrease friction and prevent your skin from drying out. However, you should avoid wearing wool or synthetic fibres because these can irritate the skin and compound the problem.
Ensure your footwear fits properly
The best way of preventing dry cracked skin on your heels is to ensure your footwear fits properly. Ill-fitting footwear increases friction, causing dryness and sores. You should also match your footwear to the season, while it may be tempting to wear flip-flops in the winter, doing so, leaves your skin exposed to the cold air which can dry out the skin further.
By following the above advice along with implementing a daily skincare routine using Naturalus Hand & Skin Shield Liquid Gloves. You can reduce the calluses buildup which causes cracked heels. This ensures your feet are ready for summer and look great in any footwear, from flip-flops and sandals or even barefoot.
